Funk Zone

Description

The Funk Zone is a hip area near lower State Street where you can sit on a patio surrounded by ivy-covered walls on a lazy weekend afternoon. The atmosphere is fantastic and there are tons of young well-dressed people from LA soaking it up. The main thing to do is go to a wine bar, but if you are with kids you can go to Helena Ave Bakery, which is hard to find until you see the sign outside that says "Food To-Go." Here you can delight in the most amazing berry galette and a cup of tea or coffee! It's wonderful to walk along E. Yanonali and take in the art on the walls, the sunny patios, and the ivy everywhere. This area reminds me so much of one of my favorite areas in Miami called Wynwood Walls. The funk zone should start the highly artistic graffiti on the walls here too!From the Funk Zone you can walk across State Street to the Moreton Bay fig tree or the MOXI, a discovery museum for kids. Or you can walk south on State Street to Stearns Wharf, which always has glorious views.

Sitting on a balcony at Bluewater Grill in the lighthouse building, near the funk zone.

Directions

The Funk Zone is located on E. Yanonali Street, where it branches off from lower State Street, near Stearns Wharf and across from MOXI.You can park in the Amtrak train station parking lot, at 125 State Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101. The first 75 minutes are free, and then it costs $1.50 an hour.Helena Ave Bakery, 131 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101, call (805) 880-3383.